Circuit-switch



(Nonodel.)

E. E. HERSH, B. P. WOODWARD 8v J. W. PBTTEE.

' 1013.011112 SWITCH. N0. 518,188. Patented Apr. 10, 1894.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER E. HERSH, BENJAMIN F. WOODWARD, AND JOHN PETTEE, OF

'v DENVER, COLORADO.

CIRCUIT-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 518,188, dated April 10, 1894. Application filed October 1893. Serial No. 489.144. (No model To all whom it may con/cern,.-

Be it known that we, ELMER E. Hnnsn, BENJnMIN F. WooDwARD, and JOHN W. PET# TEE?, cltizens of the United States of America, resldlng at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certaln new and useful Improvements in Circuit- Switches; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanylng drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in c-1rcu1t switches, and though especially deslgned for use in electric light circuits, we do not limit ourselves to this use since we are aware that it may be advantageously employed 1n many other relations.

Our object in bringing forth this invention 1s to provide a device of the class stated which shall be simple in construction, economical in cost, reliable, durable and efficient in use; and to these ends the invention consists of the features hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood byy reference to the accompanying drawings in which 1s illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front end View of the device with the face 'plate removed. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the actuating leaf-spring removed. Fig. 3 is a rear vlew with the face plate in position. Flg. 4 1s a section taken on the line :zz-tc, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line y-y, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a rotatable switch-block, whereby the current is alternately made and broken. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a leaf-spring forming the actuatlng dog for the switch-block shown in F1g. 6. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustratlng the duplex circuit, whereby the lamp or serles of lamps, is controlled from two separate points. Fig. 9 is a fragmentaryY view showing a modified form of construction.`

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a single pole T-swnch block.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts or elements of the mechanism in the several views, let the numeral 5 designate a cylindrical casing composed of some suitable insulating material, as glass or porcelain. 'This casing is provided with an exteriorly projecting circumferential rim 5* and a central, apertured partition 5. The rim of the casing is provided with two notches or recesses 5d preferably located diametrically opposite each other, and adapted to receive the angular locking lugs 6a of the face plate 6. After the lugs have entered the recesses of the rim, the face plate is locked to the casing by a partial revolution, whereby the interior projections of the lugs are made to pass under the rim. `The face plate is centrally depressed as shown at 60,*and apertured to receive the push-button 7 whose outer extremity is normally flush, or in the same plane with, the body of the plate.

Located in the aperture formed in the partition 5c of the casing, is the double T-shaped integral switch-block composed of the head 8, the oppositely disposed stems 8 and 8c, and the pivots 8d formed upon the respective stems., This switch-block is composed of some suitable material, as metal forming a good conductor of the electric current. The pivots of the switch-block are located in recesses gvformed in the central partition of the casing, and are held in place by the double contact brush 9 secured to one surface of the partition by a pair of binding screws lO. The arms 9aof this double brush are alternately in engagement with the stems 8 and 8c of the switch-block,'whereby the latter is held securely in place and prevented from slipping out or moving in the recesses which its parts engage. To the opposite face of the partition 5c are attached two separate contact brushes 12 and l2a also secured by-binding screws 10, and alternatelyin engagement with the stems of the T-shaped switch-block as the latter is rotated. The binding screws all project from the rear side of the partition and are made fast by screws 13 on the opposite side. The

contact brushes must all be composed of some material forming a good electrical conductor, preferably copper.

Attached to the same surface of the partition as the double brush, but external thereto, is a spring for actuating the T-shaped switchblock. The -base of this spring is composed of the two outer arms 14 which engage the respective arms of the double brush 9, and the central arm 14 which is in continuous engagement with the head of the T-shaped switch-block. These arms of the spring are formed by cutting two slits in its base, the object being to allow the different parts to yield independently of each other during the rotation or movement of the switch-block. The upper portion 14Ec of the spring terminates in a hook-shaped projection 14d and is suciently separated from the base to permit the movement necessary for actuating the switch-block. The projection 14d of the spring is normally located in close proximity to the head of the switch-block, which is provided with shallow recesses 8g for the reception of said projection as the same is pressed to actuating engagement with the switch-block. The part 14;c of the spring is apertnred to receive a projection 7 of the push-button 7 which is provided with a sho ulder 7C, normally, or when at its outward limit of movement, engaging the inner surface of the depressed portion nc of the faceplate. The relation between the rotatable switch-block, the spring and the push-button must be such that the switch-block is given a quarter rotation every time the button is pressed.

From the construction shown and heretofore described, it will be observed that the double brush 9 is always in contact with the rotatable switch-block, while the brushes 12 and 12 are alternately in contact therewith as the switch-block is rotated.

In the drawings, fourbinding posts are illustrated, two being connected with the double brush 9. All of these posts would never, however, be used, except in the double pole form of the switch. In all other cases, one of the posts connected with the double brush may be dispensed with, while if it is desired to control the lamp, or lamps, from but asingle point, only one of the brushes 12 or 12a is needed, since the circuit is alternately made and broken by the use of the double brush and either of the single brushes. When it is desired to control the lights from two points, employing the single pole system, a switch having both single brushes and the double brush, is employed at each point. In this case, however, only one binding post lin connection with the double brush is needed, since but one wire leads to said brush of each switch.

We have thought it necessary, only to illustrate the circuit in which the lamp is controlled from two points, and this is shown in Fig. 8. Referring now to this figure, let A and B designate the two switches, 15 the lamp, 16 and 17 the wires of the main circuit, 18 the wire leading from the main circuit to the double brush of the switch A, 19 the wire leading from the main circuit to the lamp, 2O the wire leading from the lamp to the double brush of the switch B, and 21 and 22 the wires connecting the single brushes ot' the respective switches. Assuming now that th e T shaped switch -blocks are in the position shown in this figure, the current may be said to pass from wire 17 to wire 17 ma. the following route, the elements being named in order: wire 19, lamp 15, wire 20, brush 9, thel T- shaped switch-block and brush 12 of switch B, wire 22 to brush 12 of switch A, and the T-sliaped switch-block and brush 9 o f saine switch, and thence va wire 18 to main wire 17, the circuit being closed and the lamp lighted. Now, if by pressing the push-button of either switch A or B, the T-shaped switch-block of the corresponding switch is given a quarter rotation, the circuit will be broken and the lamp extinguished. Again, if the T -shaped switch blocks of both switches A and B are given a quarter rotation trom the position shown in Fig. 8, the circuit will again be closed and the current may be said to pass from wire 16, ma wire 19, lamp 15, wire 20, brush 9, the T -shaped switch-block and brush 9 of switch A, and thence ma wire 18 to the main wire 17. The central or depressed portion ot the face plate is formed separate from the body of the plate as illustrated in Fig. 9, in which the central depressed portion is designated 6g. I

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is i l 1`. The combination of the casing provided with the apertured partition, a T-sliapedrotatable switch block pivoted in said partition, two contact brushes attached to opposite surfaces of the partition and adapted to engage the block, an apertured face plate, and asingle push button for actuating the switch block, substantially as described.

2. In a circuit switch, the combination with a suitable casing, ot' a double T-shaped ro tatable switch-block, and two contact brushes, one double and the other single, engaging the opposite stems of the switch-block, and snitable means for actuating the switch-block, substantially as described.

3. In a circuit switch, the combination with the rotatable switch-block, the two contact brushes, one double and the other single, thc single push button and the intermediate spring for actuating the switch-block, the arrangement of the parts being such that one of the brushes is always in contact with the switch-block, while the other is alternately in contact therewith as the latter is rotated, substantially as described.

4. In a circuit switch, the combination with the casing of the rotatable double T-shaped switch-block, the double contact brush, the two single brushes, the single push-button and the intermediate spring, the arrangement being such that the double brush is always in contact with the switch-block, and the two single brushes alternately in contact there with as the switch-block is rotated, substantially as described.

5. In a circuit switch, the combination of IIO the casing having a notched rim at one eX'- tremity, and a central apertured partition, the operative parts 0f the switch mechanism being attached to said partition, and the face plate provided with lugs adapted to engage the rim of the casing, and apertured to receivethe actuating push-button,substantially as described.

6. In a circuit switch, the combination with Said partition, two contact brushes attached to the opposite surfaces ofV the partition and adapted to engage the block, an apertured face plate provided with lugs adapted to en-l gage the rim of the casing, and a single push button for actuating the switch block, substantially as described.

. 8. In a circuit switch, the combination of the cylindrical casing having the apertured face plate, and the centrally apertured partition, a T-shaped rotatable switch block pivoted in the partition, a single push button, an intermediate spring, and suitable contact brushes, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof We aftix our signatures 3 5 in the presence of two witnesses.

ELMER E. HERSH. BENJAMIN F. WOODWARD. JOHN W. PETTEE. Witnesses:

G. J. ROLLANDET, CHAs. E. DAWSON. 

